ASA award recognizes farmersâ€™ conservation efforts

The American Soybean Association is seeking applications for the 2009 Conservation Legacy Awards Program. Growers are encouraged to share their stories of environmentalism and conservation with others by submitting an application to the program.

Three regional conservation awards will be presented: Midwest Region, Northeast Region and South Region. All regional winners receive an expenses-paid trip for two to next yearâ€™s Commodity Classic in Grapevine, Texas. Commodity Classic is the convention and trade show for the U.S. soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum industries.

At the ASA awards banquet at Commodity Classic, a national winner will be announced from among the three regional winners. All winners will be featured in an issue of Corn and Soybean Digest magazine.

In its seventh year, the Conservation Legacy Awards Program is a national program designed to recognize the outstanding environmental and conservation achievements of U.S. soybean farmers. Selection is based on each farmerâ€™s environmental and economic program. Judges look for dedication to the land through cropland management practices, farmstead protection, and conservation and environmental management.

The awards showcase management practices that are environmentally friendly and at the same time allow growers to reap economic returns from their farm.

Applications are in the mail to all ASA members. Members can also find information at the following Web site: www.SoyGrowers.com/Programs. Growers must be members of the American Soybean Association to enter the Conservation Legacy Awards program.